VESTAL - Skaneateles girls lacrosse coach Bridget Marquardt has been preaching the importance of defense to her squad all season.
In Saturday's central regional, the Lakers proved they've been listening. Skaneateles held Corning East to just five goals in the 13-5 win.
“The defense played great today, as a core they played really well,” Marquardt said. “Amy Riehlman came up with some great ground balls, they all had pivotal moments and they all contributed. That's why we did so well and only gave up five goals. I believe (Corning East) has been scoring double digits most of their games.”
“We saw a lot of aggressiveness - double teams everywhere on the field” said Trojan coach Kim McNaney. “They were going to make it really hard for us to clear the ball.”
Early in the first half the Skaneateles defense made its presence known, doubling and tripling Corning East midfielders on clears, many resulting in turnovers that led straight to one of the Lakers' 13 goals.
“We've worked on our defense and every game gotten a lot better - knocking down passes, not letting them get the ball and stuff like that,” said Laura Trenti. “We practice that a lot.”
“We have two midi lines and that really helps us so we don't get tired easily,” Lotkowictz said. “The midis just get back quickly and we double the ball throughout the midfield. That really scares them I think.”
With the Trojans lacking subs in the second half the Lakers were able to push it a little further. By the game's end it seemed Corning East couldn't manage a single clear. Skaneateles seemed to stop every ball at midfield, taking away from an 11-save performance by Trojan net-minder MaryKate Monahan.
“Today we slid well, we doubled the ball when we needed to and we got to every ground ball,” Lotkowictz said. “All those little things count and I think that's partly why we won today.”
It's something that the Lakers have been building all season and is coming to fruition at the right time. With the state final four just a week away, Skaneateles is looking for its third Class C title in four years.
“Our defense has gotten better every single day,” Lotkowictz said. “Every day in practice, every day in games. Our coach always says defense wins championships and I definitely believe that.”
“The defense played great today, as a core they played really well,” Marquardt said. “Amy Riehlman came up with some great ground balls, they all had pivotal moments and they all contributed. That's why we did so well and only gave up five goals. I believe (Corning East) has been scoring double digits most of their games.”
“We saw a lot of aggressiveness - double teams everywhere on the field” said Trojan coach Kim McNaney. “They were going to make it really hard for us to clear the ball.”
Early in the first half the Skaneateles defense made its presence known, doubling and tripling Corning East midfielders on clears, many resulting in turnovers that led straight to one of the Lakers' 13 goals.
“We've worked on our defense and every game gotten a lot better - knocking down passes, not letting them get the ball and stuff like that,” said Laura Trenti. “We practice that a lot.”
“We have two midi lines and that really helps us so we don't get tired easily,” Lotkowictz said. “The midis just get back quickly and we double the ball throughout the midfield. That really scares them I think.”
With the Trojans lacking subs in the second half the Lakers were able to push it a little further. By the game's end it seemed Corning East couldn't manage a single clear. Skaneateles seemed to stop every ball at midfield, taking away from an 11-save performance by Trojan net-minder MaryKate Monahan.
“Today we slid well, we doubled the ball when we needed to and we got to every ground ball,” Lotkowictz said. “All those little things count and I think that's partly why we won today.”
It's something that the Lakers have been building all season and is coming to fruition at the right time. With the state final four just a week away, Skaneateles is looking for its third Class C title in four years.
“Our defense has gotten better every single day,” Lotkowictz said. “Every day in practice, every day in games. Our coach always says defense wins championships and I definitely believe that.”
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